SEARCY — Dwight Rider Walton Jr. of Searcy, died Sunday, July 21, 2013, at the age of 66.

Known to his family as “Sonny,” Dwight was born in Sugarland, Texas, Dec. 28, 1946, but grew up in Hope. He was the son of Dwight Rider Walton Sr. and Doris Laverne Martin Walton, who preceded him in death.

Dwight was a graduate of Hope High School and Nicholls State University. He also attended Henderson State University. He received the bachelor of science degree from the College of Business Administration at Nicholls State. He was a member of the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas National Guard in the ‘60s.

In 1969, Dwight married Leah Chitty, who survives him.

Survivors also include a son, Kelly, and his wife, Terri, of Cabot; and a daughter, Denise Gall, and her husband, Allen, of Georgetown, Texas; grandchildren, Austin and Jackson Walton, and Elyssa and Jessie Gall; his sisters, Ann Neill of Hope, Becky (Larry) Meek of San Antonio and Hannah Adams of Ragley, La.; and his brothers, John Roy and Chris (Edessa) of Hope.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at Powell Funeral Home. The memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at the College Church of Christ.